A few thoughts on a late night.

I actually wrote this a few weeks ago...not really sure why I feel compelled to share it now, but here it is.


THE TWO FRIENDS

Nobody told me that you two were friends,
Or even that you know each other.
I don’t think that I’ve even
ever seen you both together.

One of you rips, and tears,
and gnaws at my flesh.
You cover my eyes, and heat my breath.
You come in without warning,
and take without asking.

All the while the other is watching
and waiting to catch my eye.
Wanting to show me the beauty of her face
and the depth of his grace.

Do you have come together?
Not one without the other?
Because I’d only invite one of you
if I could.

Better yet, just leave me alone,
and leave me to my simple life.
We were doing just fine
without or your company, your curse, your blessing.

I’ll admit that I don’t know
what you talk about when I’m not there,
or why on many of the gifts I’ve gotten
are written both of your names.
It can’t be that you serve the same master
or that to know one you must know the other.

Isn’t it funny how this dance is danced?
and how his banquet is served.
For my master has prepared for me one of his many rooms,
satisfied my hunger, and quenched my thirst.

And though I have been made anew,
I still beg for the scraps that fall from his table.

Maybe one of you knows the answer to the question:
What is easier for the Son of Man to do?
To say “Your sins are forgiven.”
or “Take up your bed and walk.”

What’s easier isn’t always as important,
or necessary I guess,
But still it’s easier,
than having both of you around.


Aaron.

A few things....

Hello all--

Kari and I read through some great emails and letters today--thanks for all the encouragement and words of sympathy and wisdom. I think there are some people out there that know about the website, but don't know to check here for updates and news. If people ask you about us, let them know that this is the best place to get news--it really helps us to know that so many of you are following right along with us. (I'll try to keep y'all interested and informed.)

Also, please keep praying extra hard for our friend Melissa and her family who I wrote about in the blog not too long ago. She is back in the hospital and has had some more setbacks and pain. They are hoping to do a somewhat risky surgery, so pray that God protects her body and then restores it.

I'm missing you all--say hi to those that know us when you see them.

Aaron.

9/2 Update from Aaron

Hello All--

Well the Kards for Kari thing was fun for us.  One day we got 35 cards, which was well over half of all the mail for the floor!  I think we had 75 overall for the week, plus we'll probably get a few more tomorrow.  I think it was as much fun to just look and admire our huge stack of mail as it was to read them.  Yesterday I got made fun of by Kari’s therapists because so many of the cards had glitter (some in excessive amounts) that it got all over my clothes.  I told them that glitter is cool in Cali (.  I must admit though, that after reading a combination of about 1000 cards, emails and letters that “message fatigue” can set in from time to time, but Kari has never tired of reading them and they still bring her (and me too) just as much encouragement as they did a month and a half ago.

Kari was able to get up and do as much therapy as she has been since she got here.  She drove around a little and also did a 2 1/2 hour wean off the ventilator during both PT and OT.  Even so, the pain in her shoulders was still extreme and she felt dizzy being up and about so much.  I was very proud of the way she sort of powered through her activities today and pushed herself to get through a full 3 hours in her wheelchair.  Her breathing numbers looked good too.  Overall, the pain in her stomach was less today, although yesterday was very bad so we'll see if they've really got it under control or if it was just a good day.  It seems that we are back on track even if she's not feeling all that great.  Hopefully the long weekend will be a good time to rest, but pray that she doesn't tighten up too much without physical therapy sessions for three days.

We've had a lot of visitors too the last week.  Gene and Daleasha Hall from Oregon, Diana Temple from Illinois, my Dad, his wife Linda, and my brother Dan all left just a few days ago.  My mom is here for the next 5 days and my brother Bryan, his girlfriend Katie, and our friends Janeen and Jose Gutierrez are coming tomorrow.  It’s been a great help having everybody here and we look forward to seeing everybody else who's planning on coming to.  At last count, there are 36 people (all from out of state) that have or will come for multiple-night stays (many who have come 2 or more times) and probably also another 25 or so that have stopped by for a few hours on their way through town.  Kari is always elated to see people when they first get here, so I want to send a big thank you to all that have come.  Well, thanks for keeping up with us on the Blog and on the website, I always like to check how many hits the website has.  When you check here for updates, go through the website and click on the blog link, and that way the counter will get your hit (.  Anyways, in honor of the first week of middle school:

Omg, I’ll ttyl. G2g, so I’ll like cu soon or cul8r.  

ur my bff, right? –Aaron